Verbal fights are not the new thing in English soccer; in fact, they have been the trademark of many brilliant soccer minds found on English soil. This time, we are talking about two biggest challengers to the league title this year: one is Manchester City and another is Chelsea. These teams are not only in the news for their in-field performances, but also for their media battles outside the field. Though, City is almost on the top of the leaderboard, but Chelsea is equally optimistic to triumph over the beautiful silverware, and looking at their last few matches, second term serving manager Jose Mourinho is supposed to speak blatantly after every match or controversy. Recently, Portuguese football manager lambasted Chilean football manager and said City has been luckiest this season as far referees’ decisions are concerned, he was obviously trying to target recent penalties that went into last year runner up’s favor. He pointed out some instances where City got the undue advantage, but Pellegrini has denied his allegations and called him of lying just to gain the publicity and to demoralize City moral.
Actually, Mourinho has been a great psychologist in sports fraternity and known for his calculated media statements which usually involve undermining opponents before any crucial game. This holds true with the current status in English topflight where City looks like to be the winner after Arsenal. Replying the latest claims of former Everton manager, Chilean pointed out matches against Aston Villa where Ahmadi was offside while scoring winner against them. Similarly, The Blues lost to Sunderland because of a foul. He added, “The only time a referee has come out and apologised about an important mistake is in the Chelsea-West Brom game — the penalty in the 93rd or 94th minute. That’s given them one point more. If you are talking about the decision at Tottenham: everyone said Rose touched the ball with his left leg before he tackles Dzeko. But we’d had six clear chances, it’s not like in that moment the game changes.”
While on the other side, Mourinho specifically pointed City’s matches against Liverpool, Tottenham, and Newcastle wherein a confirmed penalty was denied to Luis Suarez and involved a controversial dismissal of defender Danny Rose. Portuguese further added, “The reality is they have many crucial decisions in their favour. They are lucky. Against Liverpool, the Sterling ‘goal’. The penalty on Suárez. Against Newcastle, the goal that is a clear goal. Against Tottenham, Dawson’s goal, the penalty and the red card.”
Apparently, this war does not look like to be ending very soon or we would have to wait until next few weeks when leaderboard positions will decide who is actually lying.